NFL Week 7 Predictions: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Thursday, 10/18/12, 8:20 PM EST, TV: NFL Network
Opening Point Spread: San Francisco -7.5
Current Betting Line: San Francisco -7
Opening Total: 37.5
Current Total: 37.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Cardinals vs. 49ers NFL Preview — San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore has enjoyed some fabulous games against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park

Seattle will put its two-game win streak on the line when it travels to the Bay Area to take on San Francisco inside Candlestick Park, as the franchise has lost the last three meetings in this series. The Seahawks suffered a 33-17 setback in last year’s meeting at this venue as six-point road underdogs, as the two teams combined for just 428 yards of total offense. “We have a competition this week in who is going to prepare the best,” stated Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Seattle is 8-6 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus years.

The Seahawks have the second-best rush defense in the NFL, but that group will be tested against an offense that leads the league in rushing. On the other side of the ball, Seattle totaled a season-high 368 yards in last week’s 24-23 win over the New England Patriots as 3.5-point home underdogs, while going OVER the total for the first time in six contests this year. Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson finished with 293 passing yards.

San Francisco was unable to gain revenge against the New York Giants in a disappointing 26-3 loss in Week 6, but the team has tallied a perfect 4-0 record in games following a loss during the Jim Harbaugh era. The 49ers are also 5-2 all-time when playing a Thursday Night game, which includes wins in both opportunities when playing at home. Offensively, the team is averaging 176.8 rushing yards per game, while ranking fourth in the league in averaging 6.24 yards per play. San Francisco is 6-6 ATS versus division opponents since 2010, with the OVER going 7-4 in that situation.

The 49ers have outscored their opponents by a 152-94 margin, as their plus-58 scoring differential ranks tied-for-third in the NFL. San Francisco is certainly known for its defense, especially with that unit surrendering a league-low 275.8 yards per game. Running back Frank Gore may bounce back from a 36-yard effort against the Giants in this spot, as the former Miami Hurricanes star has gained over 200 yards on two occasions against Thursday’s opponent when playing at home.